Health and Indigenous affairs correspondent

Asylum seekers suffered injuries including broken bones after a violent clash with security staff in the Christmas Island detention centre, following days of protests.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirmed four asylum seekers were taken to hospital on Monday with broken bones and a wrist injury, sustained during a bloody confrontation on the island. Another two were injured but were treated on the island.

The violence unfolded hours after Mr Morrison told the media he was monitoring the situation carefully and it was ''contained''.

''The resources are in place to deal with anything serious that could happen,'' he said.

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But shortly after midday, dozens were injured as Serco's emergency response team took to ''negotiation'' with ''non-compliant'' asylum seekers who were protesting.

''ERT were called in to assist with managing the situation and all detainees were provided with the opportunity to return to their compounds,'' Mr Morrison said.

''Four detainees were taken to hospital for a range of injuries including suspected sprains or broken bones,'' he said.

Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the reports were very distressing.

Senator Hanson-Young said the ''peaceful protests'' had started a week ago in response to the government's handling of what happened on Manus Island and to mark the 100th day since asylum seeker Reza Barati's death.

Refugee advocates say witnesses have described a gruesome scene on the island.

''They went in and they have been pretty brutal from all accounts,'' advocate Pamela Curr said. ''They bashed men with batons. The men have injuries on their hands and arms from trying to shield their faces.''

On Monday, refugee advocate Ian Rintoul said 75 asylum seekers had been on a hunger strike since last Tuesday and had been joined by another 300 people. He also said seven had stitched their lips.

''Hundreds are into their fourth day of hunger strike as the anger and frustration grows,'' the statement said.

To which Mr Morrison responded on Monday: ''The reports of the size of this protest are wildly exaggerated, which is not uncommon when advocates take it upon themselves to talk up these issues.''

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